Dark Desire-Caught between duty and desire (englisch version

Chapter 7

Corvin paced nervously, his thoughts swirling wildly. The conversation with Despia the night before, the tender moment they had shared—it had changed everything. What had started as a simple tending of his wounds had turned into something deeper, something more intimate. The kiss was still vivid in his memory—the warmth of her lips, the tingling sensation that had flooded through his entire body... And now he had to confess it to Persephone. He knew he couldn't keep it a secret from her—she deserved the truth.

Finally, when he could no longer put it off, he knocked gently on the door to Persephone's chambers. The goddess of the Underworld looked up as he entered, her green eyes both scrutinizing and warm. But when she saw the expression on his face, she set aside the parchments she had been working on and focused entirely on him.

"Corvin? What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost," she said softly, beckoning him to come closer.

He took a deep breath before speaking. "Something... happened. Something you need to know before we move forward. I... Despia and I... we kissed last night."

Persephone blinked in surprise, but instead of the anger or rage Corvin had expected, a gentle smile slowly spread across her lips. "You... kissed?"

He nodded, the guilt and confusion clear in his eyes. "Yes. It wasn't planned, I didn't mean to... I mean, I wanted to, but I didn't want to put her in an even more difficult position. But it happened, and I think it's changed something in both of us."

Persephone stood up, moved to him, and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Corvin, I understand you're worried, but this isn't a bad thing. Despia loves you, even if she might not be able to say it in words yet. She trusts you, and if it really came to that, then it has a meaning."

"But that's just it," Corvin burst out, his shoulders slumping. "She's afraid it'll ruin us. She's scared we'll lose the friendship we have if we give in to this. And I... I want to protect her. But now that I've kissed her, I can't just see her as my best friend anymore. It feels like everything I want is to be with her."

Persephone observed him silently for a while, then slowly nodded. "That's why you have to explain everything to her. She deserves the truth, Corvin. If we're going to push this plan forward, if we're going to lure Zeus and Lux into this trap, then Despia has to know what's at stake. We can't keep her in the dark any longer."

Corvin stared at her, the reality of her words hitting him full force. "You want me to tell her? Everything?"

"Yes," Persephone replied firmly. "You're the only one she fully trusts. If she's going to hear the truth from anyone, it should be you. And if she knows that you're by her side, she won't break so easily."

He wanted to argue, wanted to say that it was too much, that he couldn't risk hurting her again, but deep down he knew that Persephone was right. He had to do it. He owed it to Despia to hide nothing from her anymore.

"All right," he finally said, determination shining in his eyes. "I'll talk to her. But what about Hera? Will she really help us take down Zeus?"

A shadow crossed Persephone's face before she nodded. "That's my part. I'll talk to Hera. She's our last hope of bringing this to an end without plunging the entire Olympian order into chaos."

***

A few hours later, Persephone stood before the grand doors of Hera's chambers. The goddess of Olympus was as powerful as she was beautiful, and her pride was legendary. But Persephone knew that beneath that hardened exterior lay a woman who had suffered for centuries under Zeus' reign. Hera was a queen trapped at the side of a tyrant—and that made her the perfect ally.

The door opened, and Hera stepped out, her presence formidable and unapproachable. But when she recognized Persephone, her expression softened slightly. "Persephone. What brings you here?"

"We need to talk," Persephone said quietly but firmly. "About Zeus. About Lux. And about the plan we've devised."

Hera's eyes narrowed, but she gestured for Persephone to come in. They walked through the high columns of the room, the walls adorned with images of gods and goddesses, until they finally stopped in front of a large marble fountain. Hera studied Persephone for a long time before speaking.

"You're playing a dangerous game, Persephone. Do you really think you can bring Zeus down so easily?"

"I believe we can weaken him," Persephone replied calmly. "And I believe you're the one who should rule Olympus. Not Zeus."

Hera raised an eyebrow, surprise flickering briefly in her eyes. "So you want me as the ruler? Why should I take such a risk? What if I simply go to Zeus and tell him what you're planning?"

Persephone took a step closer, her eyes locked onto Hera's. "Because you know there's no other way out. Zeus will never stop humiliating you. He will never share the power he has, and he will always treat you as the queen in the shadows. But if you help us take him down, you'll finally get what you deserve. Sole rulership."

Hera was silent for a moment, her gaze hard and thoughtful. Then, slowly, a smile began to spread across her lips—cold and dangerous. "Very well. I will support you. I'll do whatever it takes to get Zeus and that... bastard Lux out of the way."

Persephone exhaled in relief. "Thank you, Hera. We won't make any mistakes."

"Make sure you don't," Hera hissed. "Because if you fail, Zeus won't just punish me. He'll destroy you all."

"We won't let that happen," Persephone vowed, meeting the goddess' gaze steadily. "We're ready."

With those words, Persephone turned and left Hera's chambers. The first step was complete. Now it was up to Corvin to tell Despia the truth and set their plan into motion.